versatile American pianist; b. Allentown, Pa., May 8, 1945. After studying at the Berklee School of Music in Boston, Jarrett plunged into the N.Y. jazz scene, coming to prominence as a member of the Charles Lloyd quartet from 1966 to 1970. He also worked with MILES DAVIS from 1969 to 1971 and toured with his own trio and as a solo artist.

In 1975 he made a sensationally popular recording of solo improvisations, The Köln Concert, which established his reputation as a jazz virtuoso. From the early 1980s he made appearances as a classical pianist, specializing in modern works and especially those of BÉLA BARTÓK. In 1987 he gave a particularly spirited performance in N.Y. of LOU HARRISON'S Piano Concerto, a performance he repeated in Tokyo, which served as the basis for the critically acclaimed 1988 recording.